History of the Crusades

the Crusades Episode 237, the Baltic Crusades, the Livonian Crusade Part 30, the Southern Push Part 2.

Hello again.

Last week we started off by noting that the Teutonic Order wished to establish a land link between their territory in Livonia and their territory in Prussia, which pretty much entailed conquering the lands currently located between Prussia and Livonia, which were

Semagalia, Curland and Semagitia. However, we got sidetracked by other goings on in the surrounding regions. We saw

King Valdemar II's son, King Eric, struggle to make Denmark great again. We saw Pope Innocent the fourth appoint

Albert Suabir to the position of Archbishop of Prussia. We saw William of Moderner be rewarded for his years of service

as the Church's Mr. Fixit as he rose to the position of Cardinal Bishop of Sabina and we saw Dietrich von Grunigan replace

Hermannbulk as the master of the Teutonic Order in Livonia.

Right, so now we are all set to examine the Push South by the Teutonic Order in

Lovonia through the lands of the pagans.

The new master of the Teutonic Order in Lovonia, Dietrich von Grunigan, had done a pretty good job of both motivating the members of the

Teutonic Order in Lovonia and of establishing ties between the Order and members of the local church hierarchy.

As a result, the bishops of Riga, Eisil and Daupete voiced their support for the push south by the order and provided both men and financial assistance.

Due to this support by the local church hierarchy, a fairly impressive force of Christians, including

Letts and Lavonians, mustered alongside knights from the Teutonic Order in Riga. Guides who were familiar with the region of the Kurs were chosen and the army crossed the Dalgova and headed to

Curland. Here is an account of what happened next as set out in the Livonian rhymed chronicle, and I quote,

the army that rode in such good order into curland was long and wide and everything was well under control. Many large

detachments were sent out here and there and brought in large amounts of booty but I will condense my account.

They distressed many and whoever did not escape died. The curs groaned and they understood that if

they wished to live peacefully they would have to surrender to the master.

Their elders took counsel, came to an agreement on that, and sent

...